Life-saving labrador who died in Afghanistan is awarded animal 'Victoria Cross'

BRAVE TAIL: Sasha found more explosives than any other military dog [PH ]

A courageous sniffer dog who died in an Afghanistan battlefield alongside her heroic handler has been awarded the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.

The life-saving dog and young soldier faced the horrors of war together. And Lance Corporal Kenneth Rowe, 24, and Sasha, a four-year-old yellow Labrador, also died together in a Taliban ambush in July 2008 when they were hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.

Their memory was honoured last week when the brave pooch was awarded the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.

She became the 65th animal to be awarded the honorary medal, which has also been given to cats, horses and birds.

The brave dog died alongside his his handler Lance Corporal Kenneth Rowe [PH]

“Sasha wasn’t just a working dog, she was Kenneth’s friend. They played football and enjoyed play time together”

In a touching ceremony at Kensington Town Hall, London, Sasha received the PDSA Dickin Medal for uncovering 15 bombs and hoards of weapons - thought to be more than any other British dog.

Her citation read: "Sasha’s actions were conducted in perilous conditions over a sustained period.

"Without doubt she saved many soldiers and civilians from death or injury."

The medal was accepted on behalf of the life-saving dog by her former handler Sergeant Major Andy Dodds and retired military working dog, Fire, who was also seriously injured in Afghanistan and made an amazing recovery.

BRAVE: Sasha became the 65th animal to be awarded the honorary medal [PH]

It is the highest award any animal can receive while serving in military conflict and was awarded to Fire, on behalf of Sasha, by Welsh actress and Gavin and Stacey star, Joanna Page.

L Cpl Rowe’s father Ken, mother Lyn, sisters Jenni and Steph, and former Army comrades attended the touching event.

“They had an incredible bond,” said Lyn. “Kenneth was a big animal lover from a young age and thought the world of the dogs he served alongside.

“He specifically asked for Sasha when he was deployed to Afghanistan following his injury and between them they saved countless lives.

“Sasha wasn’t just a working dog, she was Kenneth’s friend. They played football and enjoyed play time together. It wasn’t all about work. The dogs provide much-needed companionship for the soldiers when they’re serving overseas.”

Rowe, 24, was due home from Helmand Province in 2008, but stayed on to protect his comrades because he was concerned about the lack of cover.

He had escaped death just three months earlier when the Land Rover he was in with four of his comrades was blown up. Two years after the soilder’s death, his family was awarded the Elizabeth Cross in his honour.

In May 2008, Sasha was re-assigned to Rowe and deployed to Kandahar on further duties.

During her time in Afghanistan the doting dog made 15 confirmed finds of explosives and weaponry. Her actions saved many soldiers and innocent civilians from death and serious injury.

Actress and PDSA ambassador, Joanna Page, said: “Sasha’s story is an uplifting and poignant example of the lifesaving work carried out by dedicated animals alongside our armed forces."

Commenting on the award, PDSA director general Jan McLoughlin, said: “We are immensely proud to honour Sasha with the PDSA Dickin Medal. It is the highest award any animal can receive for lifesaving bravery in conflict. Without doubt, her heroic actions in Afghanistan saved many lives.”

The PDSA has recognised the gallant and lifesaving deeds of military animals for over 70 years. In that time 65 brave animals have been awarded the prestigious medal.

Twenty-nine other dogs have been bestowed including Appollo, a German Shepherd with the New York police, who received the award on behalf of all the Search and Rescue dogs at Ground Zero and the Pentagon following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Many birds have also gained the award including 32 pigeons which delivered vital war-time messages beck from the front line during World War II.

One bird named Paddy was one of the first to reach England with a coded message from the war-torn beaches of Normandy on D-Day.

The medal was accepted by her former handler Sergeant Major Andy Dodds and retired military dog Fire [PH]

He not only delivered valuable news of the Allied position, but despite poor weather conditions and the threat of German falcons deployed to tear the fragile messengers out of the sky, he did so in record time, covering 230 miles in 4 hours 50 minutes - the fastest time of any of the pigeons deployed during the mission.

Three hero horses who remained devoted to their duty on the streets of London, despite having to face fire and the hail of flying bombs during the Blitz, also received the Dickin Medal.

A cat has also received the accolade. Simon the ship’s cat, aboard HMS Amethyst, suffered serious injuries when the ship was shelled during the Yangtze incident of 1949.

Despite this, Simon helped save the lives of his shipmates after the stranded frigate became overrun with rats that were eating their way through the crew’s dwindling rations during 101 days of captivity.